A Ballad for the Yakuza Soldier - Bōryokudan

(Occasionally I write about topics that I don’t see any use for in the near future. But every once in a while I write one I am particularly fond of and have no place to put it. From now on, I’ll post them here. Recently I’ve been reading about the Japanese Yakuza, and thought it’d be interesting to push myself into those shoes.

Please note that this isn’t some hyperrealistic examination of the topic or commentary on anything.)

Your altruism leaves no impression

Your whimpering complaints are not heard

I believe in the healing powers of instigation

I believe "violence" is not just a word

They say I'm petty

I like to think I'm thorough

They say I'm angry

But their big mouths won't see tomorrow

I don't have any big ideals

My mission statement isn't complex or wise

My story isn't an inspirational one

Few words are enough to surmise:

I joined a violent group because I'm violent*

I took the extreme way because I was bored+

I made the best of a losing hand in oicho-kabu ^

And set out to burn the world

*Violent groups or Boryokudan are what the Japanese police calls the Yakuza

+The extreme way or "gokudo" is an alternative term for the Yakuza

^the name of the Ya Ku Za 8-9-3 is derived from the worst hand you can draw in Oicho Kabu, a game similar to Baccarat